The World Bank (WB) has approved a $240 million loan for the Second Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP-2), aimed at providing safely managed water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in Karachi.
Najy Benhassine, WB Country Director for Pakistan, in a statement stressed that, “safely managed WASH services are critical for public health and addressing Pakistan’s stunting crisis.”
“KWSSIP-2 will expand investments in water augmentation, treatment, wastewater treatment and reuse, water distribution, and sewer network rehabilitation,” he added.
The project will benefit around half of all beneficiaries, with 58 percent of them being youth (ages 15–24), and over half a million people living in Katchi Abadis (informal settlements).
Building on the first phase (KWSSIP-1), the project will strengthen Karachi’s water and sanitation infrastructure, aiming to improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation services for over half a million people in informal settlements.
The long-term benefits include reduced costs from alternative water sources, less time spent collecting water, and improved health due to the reduction in waterborne diseases.
By 2030, KWSSIP-2 aims to provide safely managed water supply to nearly 16 million people and sanitation services to 7.5 million people in Karachi.
The project will also enhance the performance and financial sustainability of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) and promote private-sector partnerships in WASH service delivery.
This project is part of the World Bank’s broader Pakistan Urban WASH Services Programme, which aims to provide safely managed WASH services to 33.5 million people by 2035.
KWSSIP-2 will also be co-financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank with an additional $240 million.
Source: The News International
